Does that picture make you laugh? Or is it just me?

Anyway, the Real Housewives of NYC were out in full force at the NBC red carpet. You could tell they've been trained well, because when anyone asked them for scoop, they chimed in with the Bravo line, "Watch what happens!"

First things first, I wanted to know how Alex felt about what went down at the reunion show, when the other housewives were totally attacking her.

Her reaction?

"You know what, it is a reality show. It's not brain surgery. It's meant to be entertaining. It is meant to provide people with a little bit of an escape when they turn on the tube at the end of a long day. And if us doing what we do can provide that, then really what's the harm?"

Okay, well that didn't really answer my question, so I pried some more. Her answer this time?

"If someone came up to you and said you are a fire truck, would you suddenly believe that you were one?"

Oooooh, well in that case...

Moving on, Ramona had on so much makeup. It must have taken 50 hours to put in. Scary. Jill said her stepson is out of the hospital, and, "We're about to have a baby in the family. I don't want to say who, and it's not mine." (Any guesses?)

Lastly, I told Bethenny she should be a standup comic. I also told her it seems like she's only on the show to promote herself since she is so not a typical housewife (heck, she's not even a housewife). Bethenny totally agreed. She's not acting—she's the same in person as she is on the show. "You went to lunch with me," she said (about a lunch the two of us had a little over a year ago). "You know exactly what I'm like."

And that is why Bethenny is my favorite fake housewife. Who's yours?

Recap for Remedial Viewers

Anyone else wondering what the deal is with the recap of the whole season? Seriously, if people haven’t watched at all this summer, I doubt those same people are jumping into this reality TV event. And again, Mark Consuelos…you are the hot male of the show. Where have you been? I hear your voice narrating the opening and some other scenes, but you never show your gorgeous face. I miss you. Write me! Kidding…he’s married…seriously kidding.

G’Day Mates (Tacky and Cheap Title…Sorry…)

Beginning of the episode, we see Jen and Amanda intermittently walking towards Mark P. The editing won’t tell us who he has decided to let go. These clever editors put the end of the show at the beginning. But guess what? This isn’t some serious melodrama or Hitchcockian thriller. Leave the party tricks for shows that need them. Just give me the straight-forward trash.

Reel Down Memory Lane

Finally, we arrive back in the present. Or at least, the beginning of the Australia adventure. Jen and Amanda ride in a limo on the way to meet Mark. Both seem cordial but c’mon it’s the final competition. The tension is there. And I love it! Go Jen!

Pulling up into a parking lot, Mark stands waiting for them to arrive. Amanda steps out of the limo first. Now, we see a whole “relationship” montage. Scenes from the first meeting, pieces of their dates, and ALL of their making out. Spare me. The voiceover has Mark droning on and on about her “assets.”

Jen emerges from the car next. And now we have the “Jen Clips.” Man this show is predictable. No matter how hard it tries to be unpredictable. So boring. Amanda’s boring. Jen’s cute…but they make her boring. Mark’s definitely boring. Actually, I give it to Mark. I love his coat, and he looks slightly more handsome than usual. Speaking of coats, where did the girls get theirs? Random, random, random…the clips we don’t see. Like, how long have they been in Melbourne? Where’s the initial footage?

Visit from a Not So Distant “Friend”

Maria asks Jen if she’s okay without Jayanna. In Jayanna’s confessional, she cries and cries about the loss of her friend. Then the ladies are called downstairs to watch a message from Jayanna. Basically Jayanna rips Amanda a new one. Jen gets upset with Amanda’s betrayal, and the claws come out. She wants a throw down with Amanda. In my opinion, Jen needs to suck it up. If she really, really loved and respected Jayanna…she would understand that Mark is a total loser for believing Amanda. This would then cause Jen to pull herself out of the race…and go home. But obviously, she’s a bit self-serving, which who isn’t? However, I am sick of the high and mighty act when it comes to sticking up for a friend. Puhlease, you’re not.

Chicks and Salsa

Luckily, Amanda and Maria are paired on a date with Mark. Otherwise, I think Jen would rip out Amanda’s throat. So Maria and Amanda’s date consists of a salsa dancing lesson. During the lessons, the women switch practicing with Mark. The girls then go change into their costumes. But Mark got to keep his clothes…unfair, I want a sombrero and tassles on his costume. However, I am not appeased. FYI: Amanda’s costume shows her abs while Maria looks like the chubby 5 year old ballerina. And Maria is NOT big…but that outfit was not working. Did anyone like it?

Mark picked Maria for the first dance. Amanda got jealous and talked smack about Maria….who, if we all remember, listened to Amanda drone on about her feelings last week. TWO-FACED PROSTITUTE. Okay maybe not a prostitute…but she’s a not nice girl. Maria wanted Mark to say something nice about both women…but Mark was not into it. He thought she killed the mood with her talking. Mark is a man of a few words. Thank goodness…because I think I would like him even less if he talked more.

The Claws are Out

Jayanna seems to be on a rampage early this episode. She calls Maria out on her flip-flop with Mark - - kinda, she never really attacks her. After one confrontation, she proceeds to lecture everyone about their feelings on Mark. I used to be a Jayanna fan…now I’m like Maria in the fact that I’m feeling a little flip-flop.

Mark C. comes into the ladies suite telling them about a camping trip where one lady won’t be coming back. They have 20 minutes to pack, which is impossible for even a low maintenance gal like myself. Amanda seems ready to go camping but Megan is a bit apprehensive.

Jayanna proclaims this is her event. She is a camper. Then she holds secret counsel with someone (was it Jen?) about strategy. Geez, I’m feeling very Survivor right now.

Camp Lottacrazy

Once the RV pulls into the campsite with Mark and the ladies, he leads them on a hike to their campgrounds. As they hike, we hear a voice-over of Mark rattling off what he likes about each woman. Megan is bubbly. Amanda clearly feels passionate about him. Jayanna is always in her element. Maria calls him out on his crap, and Jen is hot. Blah, blah, blah. Pretty boring stuff actually.

Welcome to the Dollhouse

Mark C. strolls in with his certain swagger…telling Mark P. that he will take 3 girls surfing. The girls invited were Maria, Mary and Megan. He chose Maria due to her love of sports. Mary came along because Mark doesn’t really know her. This is my feeling…Mary is annoying and she is still around BECAUSE Mark doesn’t know her. So really she should stop crying about it. Him not knowing her is her only saving grace. Megan got chosen because he really hasn’t spent much one-on-one time with her. She seems young and spirited so why not? Once at the beach, the group went surfing and just had fun. Making me wish I knew some hot guy to take me surfing. Or any guy for that matter because Mark P is just NOT HOT. Still not doing it for me, doing it for any of you?

Back at the condo, Amanda cleans, reads and sits around moping. Jen and Jayanna run around the house, giggling and having fun. For a minute, I actually felt sorry for Amanda…then it quickly went away. She really doesn’t seem to have a grasp on reality here. She must not be used to sharing.

At the beach, Mark takes Megan for a walk. Mary hangs out with Maria…and Maria tries to get her to calm down. FAT CHANCE. Instead of just laying back, Mary runs over and bothers Mark and Megan during their one-on-one time. Clearly she was the third wheel so she went back to sit with Maria. Maria laid it out there…she does not chase men. Men chase her.

Where’s Mr. Roeper?

The ladies have been joined together. 20 year olds and 40 year olds living in close quarters. All we need is Janet, Jack and Chrissy hanging out at the Regal Begal to complete this episode of Three’s Company.. Can any good come of this? I think not…and that’s why the producer came up with this brilliant plan.

Rat Race

We have a competition and Mary is typically negative. Can something new please be thrown our way? Ring, ring…call from Mark having the girls put on the work out clothes. They show up in matching work out clothes. Cracks me u p. One team wears yellow tops while the other wears salmon. No individuality here. Gotta keep the “teams” separate. Because this crazy thing called “love” is nothing but a rat race of clones? No?

When they arrive at the beach, there is an obstacle course….competing to spend time with Mark. (ANNOUNCER VOICE): Jayanna and Maria in the lead. Now wait, Tessa and Amanda pull up next to them. Its Tessa, no Amanda…no the 40 year olds.

Seriously, this is like a horse race. Does anyone in the room feel degraded?

Let’s Start from the Very Beginning…

The beginning of the episode was technically the rest of the night from last week – post-elimination around. Each group went to their apartments to discuss what meeting the other group of girls was like. Being mature older women, the cougars simply stated how they don’t think they could be with a man who saw himself with a 20 year old. He was at a different stage of his life.

Back at the Bachelor Pad

Mark has to decide one twenty year old and one forty year old to take to lunch. But this is Age of Love and we have a twist. Each woman gets a text saying they will be going on an individual date. So when they get there – each of them are taken by surprise to see the other one. While Kelli cordially said hello and tried to mask her surprise – Amanda simply chose to ignore the greeting and then coldly says “hi” after Kelli’s repeated attempts. When they get to Mark P. and Mark C. at the top of the stairs we find out that they both get individual dates. Amanda is on one end of the restaurant and Kelli is on the other.

Mark, Mark, Mark….sigh. This week you really had some trouble cut out for you. You’ve got the stacks added against you when some beautiful 20 something ladies enter the mix.

Okay, I have to admit, I missed the first five minutes. I was on the phone with my mother and she kept talking…then I looked down at my computer and it was 9:05. So the transition from last week’s repeat to the new episode was completely lost for me (I’m TIVOless….yes, I know I have sinned).

Call it tacky. Call it terrifying. But just admit you are intrigued. Age of Love poses that oh-so tricky question; do men consider age a key factor when picking a partner?

When I first told my guy friends at work I would be writing about Age of Love, they told me I don’t need to watch the show, they’ll tell me: Young girls will beat out older women every time. But I have to hope Mark Philippoussis takes women for who they are, not how long they’ve been on this earth. He’s well-traveled and more cultured; he has to have to be more open minded than the knuckleheads with whom I work. Right?!? We’ll see. Men are men; and not every guy will be as cool as Ashton Kutcher. Then again, not every older woman is a Demi.